Laser Surface Engineering

Preface

J. Lawrence; D.G. Waugh

Optical energy and its uses are actually nothing new to us. The temperature of the very planet we inhabit is governed by optical radiation, and most forms of life on it need sunlight to generate vitamins and complex chemicals. Nonetheless, mankind was not able to generate large and controllable quantities of optical energy until the advent of the laser in 1960. It is instructive to consider the parallels between the development of optical energy and electricity. Since its first industrial use in the 1870s, we have seen electricity lead to corollary inventions such as lighting, telephones, large-scale metal production, computers, and small motors. It has totally altered the quality of life around the world, and ...